Portable easel

ABSTRACT

The portable easel includes a viewable storage compartment for enclosing and transporting artist supplies and drawing materials. The portable easel includes an upper housing portion hingedly attached to a lower housing portion so as to be movable between an opened position and a closed position. The storage compartment is formed into the lower housing portion. In the opened position, the upper housing portion is positioned at an inclined angle with respect to the lower housing portion thereby providing an inclined drawing surface. In the closed position, the upper housing portion overlays the lower housing portion so as to enclose the storage compartment formed therein. To facilitate viewing of the storage compartment when the upper housing portion is in the closed position, the upper housing portion or a section thereof is formed from transparent or translucent plastic.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to artistic equipment, and more particularly, to a portable easel that can be reconfigured into a carrying case for art supplies and drawing materials. The portable easel finds particular use among children and other amateur artists.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Easels for supporting and displaying artwork are well known in the art. Often, to effect portability, it is desirable that an easel be designed to break down into an easy to handle configuration. Simplicity of the portable easel construction is especially desirable when the anticipated use of the portable easel is primarily by children or other amateurs. Also well known are carrying cases having storage compartments for storing and transporting various drawing materials such as paints, brushes, pens, pencils, and sheets of paper. Additionally, there are devices that incorporate the features of both a portable easel and a carrying case into a single assembly that may be configured for use by children. Often though, the storage compartment on such prior art easels is difficult to access and may involve additional moving parts that further complicate the design. Furthermore, it is often difficult to verify the contents of the storage compartment without considerable manipulation of the easel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable easel that can be reconfigured into a carrying case having a viewable storage compartment. The easel of the present invention includes an upper housing portion that is pivotally connected to a lower housing portion along a side thereof. The pivotal connection allows the upper housing portion to move between an inclined position in which the upper housing portion provides an inclined surface for displaying art work and a closed position in which the upper housing portion overlays the lower housing portion. To support the upper housing portion in the inclined position, the easel may include a stand that extends between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion.

To store and transport art supplies and drawing materials, there is formed into the lower housing portion a storage compartment into which such supplies and materials can be placed. When in the closed position, the upper housing portion encloses the storage compartment to hold the contents therein. When so configured, the portable easel functions as a carrying case. To enable viewing of the enclosed contents, the upper housing portion or a section thereof that corresponds to the storage compartment is manufactured from transparent or translucent material. This allows the child or a child's supervisor to easily verify the contents of the storage compartment. Additionally, this enables a promotional mechanism wherein the easel can be distributed for sale as a kit with associated art supplies and drawing materials enclosed in the storage compartment. Potential purchasers can view the associated supplies and materials through the transparent or translucent upper housing portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a portable easel configured in the closed position with the upper housing portion overlaying the lower housing portion.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the easel configured in the inclined position with the upper housing portion supported by a stand at an inclined relation to the lower housing portion.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the easel configured in the inclined position so as to provide access to the storage compartment.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the easel configured in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the easel configured in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the easel configured in the closed position.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the easel configured in the closed position.

FIG. 8 is a first side elevational view of the easel configured in the closed position.

FIG. 9 is a second side elevational view of the easel configured in the closed position.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the easel configured in the inclined position with the upper housing portion providing an inclined drawing surface.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the easel configured in the inclined position with the upper housing portion supported by the stand.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the easel configured in the inclined position with the upper housing portion supported by the stand.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the easel configured in the inclined position as taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the easel with the stand adjacent to the inner surface of the upper housing portion for facilitating configuration of the easel into the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 an easel 100 designed in accordance with the present invention. The easel 100 includes a lower housing portion 112 adapted for placement on top of a table or the like and an upper housing portion 110 that is hingedly connected to the lower housing portion. Due to the hinged connection, the upper and lower housing portions 110, 112 can move between a multiplicity of positions with respect to each other. These positions include, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 a closed position in which the upper housing portion 110 overlays the lower housing portion 112 and, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, and 13 a inclined position in which the upper housing portion is supported at an inclined angle with respect to the lower housing portion by a stand 116. The upper and lower housing portions are preferably formed of a durable plastic material, such as polystyrene, ABS, or the like.

When in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the easel 100 is configured as a flat rectangular structure suitable for easy portability. As will be appreciated from FIG. 2, when the upper housing portion 110 is supported in the inclined position, a child or artist can draw or write on a sheet of paper or similar material placed adjacent to the upper housing portion. To store the drawing materials when not in use, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower housing portion 112 includes a storage compartment 118 into which the drawing materials can be placed. As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, when the upper housing portion 110 is in the closed position, the storage compartment is substantially enclosed and any stored drawing materials will be contained therein. The easel 100 can therefore function as a carrying case when the upper housing portion 110 is in the closed position. To permit viewing of the contents of the storage compartment 118, the upper housing portion 110, or a section thereof, may be made from transparent or translucent material.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 13, the lower housing portion 112 includes a generally flat bottom plane 120 upwards from which projects a front wall 122 and an opposing rear wall 124. Additionally, a first sidewall 126 and an opposing second sidewall 128, substantially orthogonal to the front and rear walls 122, 124, also project upwards from the bottom panel 120. As will be appreciated from FIG. 3, the front, rear, and sidewalls 122, 124, 126, 128 are all molded together or otherwise joined. Thus, the arrangement of the front, rear, and sidewalls 122, 124, 126, 128 outlines the storage compartment 118 of the lower housing portion 112. In an embodiment, to partition the storage compartment 118, a plurality of partition walls projecting upwards from the bottom panel 120 may extend between and among the front, rear, and sidewalls 122, 124, 126, 128. Preferably the lower housing portion 112 is made of plastic that is opaque.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 11, and 13, the front wall 122 projects upwards to form a top surface 130 that is generally parallel to the bottom panel 120. To accommodate writing utensils such as crayons, pencils, and the like, there is formed in the top surface 130 an elongated groove 132. The groove 132 extends for a substantial portion of the length of the front wall 122. Referring to FIG. 2, the front wall 122 also includes a first side surface 136 that is indented inwards with respect to the first sidewall 126. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 11, a second side surface 138, indented inwards with respect to the second sidewall 128, is also formed in the front wall 122.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 11, the rear wall 124 of the lower housing portion 112 also includes a central top surface 146 that is parallel to and offset upwards from the bottom panel 120. Disposed through the top surface 146 approximately midway between the first and second sidewalls 126, 128 is an oblong slot 148. Also, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 11, and 12, formed in the rear wall offset to either side of the slot 148 are an elevated or raised first and second side portions 150, 152, each of which includes an elongated indentation 154 formed into it.

Referring to FIG. 7, also included on the lower housing portion 112 on the side of the bottom panel 120 opposite the side from which the front, rear, and sidewalls project, are a plurality of footpads 156. The footpads 156, which can be part of the bottom panel or can be made of a resilient, foam-like material, are placed proximate to the four corners of the easel 100. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the footpads 156 preferably protrude slightly downward from the lower housing portion 112 to assist in preventing the easel 100 from moving or slipping during use. Additionally, the footpads 156 help prevent the lower housing portion 112 from scratching a tabletop.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper housing portion 110 of the easel 100 includes top panel 160 that is generally coextensive with the lower housing portion 112. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12, formed along the periphery of the top panel 160 is a peripheral wall 162 that projects downward toward the lower housing portion 112. The peripheral wall 162 is preferably a thin walled structure that forms a smooth radius where it joins the top panel 160. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 4, when the upper housing portion 110 is in the closed position, the top panel 160 over lays the lower housing portion 112 and as will be appreciated from FIGS. 1, 5, 8, and 9, the peripheral wall 162 extends over and conceals the rear wall 124, first sidewall 126, and second sidewall 128. Accordingly, the storage compartment is substantially enclosed by the upper housing portion 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 10, there can be formed into the top panel 160 a recessed pane 168. Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10, the pane 168 is centrally located with respect to the upper housing portion 110 and bordered by a first edge 170, a second edge 172, and third edge 174. Accordingly, the location of the pane 168 corresponds to the location of the storage compartment while the edges 170, 172, 174 correspond to the rear wall and sidewalls of the lower housing portion.

To permit viewing of the contents of the storage compartment when the upper housing portion 110 is in the closed position, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the upper housing portion 110 or a section thereof is made from transparent or translucent material and the lower housing portion 112 may be made from an opaque material. The transparent or translucent material permits the viewing of the contents of the storage compartment 118. In another embodiment, the lower housing portion 112 may be made from a transparent or translucent material and the upper housing portion 110 may be made from an opaque material. In an additional embodiment, the upper and lower housing portions 112, 114 may be made from a transparent or translucent material. In a further embodiment, the pane 168 may be made from a transparent or translucent material and the edges 170, 172, 174 may be made from an opaque material.

To facilitate moving the upper housing portion 110 between the closed and inclined positions, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper housing portion is hingedly connected to the front wall 122. Specifically the upper housing portion 110 includes a first flange member 180 and a second flange member 182 proximate to the peripheral wall 162 that extend beyond the front most edge of the top panel 160. When the easel 100 is properly assembled, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 11, the first and second flange members 180, 182 are located proximate to the indented first and second side surfaces 136, 138 of the front wall 122. Referring to FIG. 13, a hole 186 disposed in the side surface 126 can receive a pin 184 projecting from the flange 180. As will be readily understood by those of skill in the art, the pin 184 can rotate within the hole 186 allowing the upper housing portion 110 to articulate with respect to the lower housing portion 112.

When the upper housing portion 110 is in the inclined position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the pane 168 is sloped with respect to the lower housing portion 112 and forms an inclined support surface adjacent to which a sheet of paper or similar material can be placed for a child or artist to draw upon. To retain the sheet over the pane 168, a spring clip 164 can be included on the second or top most edge 172. In a manner well known to those of skill in the art, the spring clip 164 urges itself against the pane 168 to trap an edge of the drawing sheet.

When supporting the upper housing portion 110 in the inclined position, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 12, the stand 116 extends between the inner surface of the second or top most edge 172 to the rear wall 124 of the lower housing portion 112. The stand 116 is generally flat or planer in construction and includes a first side member 190 and a spaced apart second side member 192 with a transverse support member 194 extending between them. As best illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the proximal end of each side member is formed with a generally cylindrical lug 196 while the opposing distal end of each side member is likewise formed with a generally cylindrical lug 198. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, to attach the stand 116 to the upper housing portion 110, the inner surface of the top most edge 172 includes slotted receiving members 202 that can pivotally engage each of the proximal lugs 196.

Referring to FIG. 3, 11, and 13, to attach the stand 116 to the rear wall 124, the distal lugs 198 can be releasably retained in indentations 154 formed into the elevated first and second raised portions 150, 152. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the spacing between the first and second side members 190, 192 of the stand 116 corresponds to the first and second raised portions 150, 152. To facilitate the releasable nature of lug—indentation engagement, the indentations 154 each can include a flexible holding portion 158 proximate to the upper surface of the first and second raised portions 150, 152 that preferably extend a portion of the length of the indentations. When received in the indentation 154, the holding portion 158 partially encompasses or extends over the lug 198 thereby retaining the stand to the rear wall 124. However, the holding portion 158 can deflect under an applied, moderate force thereby releasing the lug 198 when, for instance, the stand 116 is pulled upwards with respect to the rear wall 124. The holding portion 158 similarly deflects to initially receive the lug 198 into the indentation 154 when the stand 116 is properly pressed down onto the rear wall 124. On account of this construction, the upper housing portion 110 can be easily configured into the inclined position by a child without the use of tools.

To accommodate the stand 116 when the upper housing portion 110 is in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the distal lugs 198 can be removed from the indentations 154 and the stand can be pivotally swung adjacent to the inner surface of the upper housing portion 110. Swinging movement of the stand 116 is enabled by the pivotal engagement of the slotted receiving members 202 and the proximal lugs 196 described above. As will be appreciated, when the upper housing portion 110 is placed into the closed position, the stand 116 is sandwiched between the upper and lower housing portions 110, 112. In an embodiment, when the upper housing portion 110 is in the closed position, the proximal lugs 196 can be releasably received in the indentations 154 formed in the rear wall 124 in a manner similar to the one described above.

As will be appreciated from FIG. 14, in some embodiments when the stand 116 is adjacent to the inner surface of the upper housing portion 110, the stand will obstruct the view through the upper housing portion of the storage compartment 118. To mitigate the obstruction, in these embodiments it is desirable to manufacture the stand 116 from the same transparent or translucent material as the upper housing portion 110. In other embodiments, the stand 116 may be designed to not obscure the storage compartment 118.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, to facilitate moving the upper housing portion 110 to the opened position, a notch 204 is formed in the outer surface of the rear wall 124 and an aligned protrusion 206 is formed on the peripheral wall 162. As will be appreciated, a child's finger tip can use the protrusion 206 to move the upper housing portion 110 open. Referring to FIG. 4, to facilitate easy handling of the easel 100, there is also formed in the second or top edge 172 approximately in the middle of the upper housing portion a second oblong slot 178. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, when the upper housing portion 110 is in the closed position overlaying the lower housing portion 112, the second slot 178 aligns with the first slot 148 to provide a handle for carrying the closed easel 100, thus facilitating the easel's functioning as a carrying case.

Thus, the present invention provides a portable easel with a viewable storage compartment into which drawing materials can be stored. The easel can be folded into an opened position in which the easel provides an inclined surface against which a sheet of drawing material can be placed for a child to draw on and a closed position in which the storage container is fully enclosed. To permit viewing of the contents of the storage container, a portion of the easel is manufactured from transparent or translucent material.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations of those preferred embodiments would become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

1. A multi-purpose easel comprising: a lower housing portion including a storage compartment, a upper housing portion hingedly connected to the lower housing portion for movement between a multiplicity of positions including a closed position and an inclined position, in the closed position, the upper and lower housing portions form a carrying case in which supplies may be stored and transported, in the inclined position, the upper housing portion is an inclined support surface upon which material may be supported and displayed, a portion of the easel is made of a material that permits viewing the storage compartment when the upper housing portion is in the closed position.
 2. The easel of claim 1, wherein a portion of the upper housing portion is made of a transparent or translucent material.
 3. The easel of claim 2, wherein a portion of the lower housing portion is made of an opaque material.
 4. The easel of claim 1, wherein a portion of the lower housing portion is made of a transparent or translucent material.
 5. The easel of claim 1 further comprising a stand to hold the upper housing portion in the inclined position.
 6. The easel of claim 5, wherein the stand is hingedly attached to the upper housing portion, the stand movable between a stored position adjacent to the upper housing portion in the closed position and a support position supporting the upper housing portion in the inclined position.
 7. The easel of claim 6, wherein the stand is made of translucent material.
 8. The easel of claim 1, wherein the lower housing portion includes a bottom panel, a front wall and an opposing rear wall projecting upward from the bottom panel, and a first side wall and an opposing second side wall projecting upward from the bottom panel, the first and second side walls orthogonal to the front and rear walls, the storage compartment located within the front, rear, and side walls.
 9. The easel of claim 8, wherein the upper housing portion includes a downward extending peripheral wall which overlaps a portion of the front and two sidewalls when the upper housing is in the closed position.
 10. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a stand for supporting the upper housing portion in the inclined position, the stand being hingedly attached to the upper housing portion at a first end and being unattached at a second end.
 11. The easel of claim 10, wherein the stand includes spaced apart first and second side members extending between the first and second ends, each side member including a lug formed at the second end, the stand further includes a support member extending between the first and second side members.
 12. The easel of claim 1, wherein the upper housing portion includes an outer surface and a inner surface, the inner surface opposing the lower housing portion when the upper housing portion is in the closed position.
 13. The easel of claim 12, wherein the upper housing portion includes a clip adapted to hold a drawing sheet to the upper surface.
 14. The easel of claim 10, wherein the stand includes a lug formed at the second end.
 15. The easel of claim 14, wherein the lower housing portion includes an indentation for receiving the lug when the stand supports the upper housing portion in the inclined position.
 16. The easel of claim 15, wherein the indentation is formed with a flexible holding portion to receive the lug in a snap-fit relation.
 17. A multiple purpose easel comprising; a lower housing portion including a storage compartment; a upper housing portion hingedly connected to the lower housing portion for movement between a multiplicity of positions including a closed position and an inclined position, the upper housing including a pane made of a material that permits viewing the storage compartment when the upper housing portion is in the closed position.
 18. The easel of claim 17, wherein the pane material is transparent.
 19. The easel of claim 17, wherein the pane material is translucent.
 20. A multi-purpose easel comprising: a lower housing portion including a storage compartment, a upper housing portion hingedly connected to the lower housing portion for movement between a multiplicity of positions including a closed position and an inclined position, a stand hingedly connected to the upper housing for movement between a multiplicity of positions including a stored position and a support position; in the closed position, the upper and lower housing portions form a carrying case in which supplies may be stored and transported, and the stand is in the stored position adjacent the upper housing, and in the inclined position, the upper housing portion is an inclined support surface upon which material may be supported and displayed, and the stand is in the support position supporting the upper housing in the inclined position, and the upper housing and the stand comprise a material that permits viewing of the storage compartment when the upper housing is in the closed position and the stand is in the stored position.
 21. The easel of claim 20, wherein the upper housing and stand comprise a material which is transparent.
 22. The easel of claim 20, wherein the upper housing and stand comprise a material which is translucent. 